Heredity vs. Solidarity (S. Snape)

Chapter Nine

The plan was already in progress two days later.

Selena, with a knowing smirk, had led Marcy straight into the Astronomy tower at lunch break, telling her friend that she had forgotten something at the top of the stairs. When the two ran into Matthew, Marcy had shot a suspicious glance at Selena, but she merely smiled back innocently.

“Matthew!” Selena greeted, in mock surprise. “What are you doing up here?!”

“Marcy didn’t tell you?” he asked, pleased.

“Not at all!” Selena replied, as Marcy’s expression ranged between horror and confusion. “What did she tell you?”

“Oh, she sent me a letter, didn’t you Marcy? Telling me to meet you here at lunch?” he asked, and as Marcy blinked a couple of times, everything eventually appeared to register into her brain.

“Oh, yeah…” she trailed off, nodding.

“You needed help in Potions? I can definitely assist you,” he smiled.

Marcy’s eyes lit up faintly, and she looked back to Selena, giving her the biggest grin she could without looking too desperate or crazy.

“Well, in that case, I’ll leave you two be. The roast beef is calling my name,” Selena declared, and with a very discreet wink shot towards Marcy, she sauntered back down towards the Great Hall, extremely pleased with herself and her matchmaking skills. At this rate, there could be lovely wedding chimes in the distant future.

Ignoring the portraits along the walls, she passed very few people, and eventually wound up walking down a lone corridor alone.

“Hey!”

Selena visibly cringed when she heard his voice from behind her, clearly addressing her seeing as no one else was around. Moodily she spun towards him, directing her attention towards his smug form with a quirked brow.

“Yes?” she inquired, frowning. “What do you want?”

“Our agreement,” he smirked. “How does today after classes sound?”

“That’s pretty sudden,” she answered, hesitantly.

“You’re the one who approved,” he stated, disapprovingly. “If you’re trying to say you’re backing out now, then –“

“No,” she sighed, now defiant. “I just figured it would be a longer wait…”

“Well, it would appear you were wrong. Do you agree or not? I’m not waiting around all day for an answer.”

“Fine,” she deadpanned. “Today after classes. Done.”

“Good. I’ll see you then.”

Selena watched Severus march passed her, and released a heavy breath, wondering what she got herself into.

The rest of the day seemed like a gigantic blur; after lunch Selena met up with Marcy, who seemed extremely giddy and excited about something. Selena soon found out that it was because the two lovebirds had become much closer, though apparently were still ‘just friends’.

When Selena explained her situation to Marcy, all of Marcy’s giddiness went right out the door, and was replaced with a combination of concern and a bit of curiosity.

“You know,” Marcy began, the two of them strolling through the halls. “I’m beginning to think that this is all going to be some kind of set up.”

“What?”

“This,” Marcy sighed, a little aggravated. “This whole thing that he has planned. He did decide to meet up quite soon. I expected more time – then at least we could’ve planned this out a little more strategically, if not for your benefit, then for the sake of our sanity.”